The presence of over ten million Bangladeshi expatriates across the world continues to play a pivotal role in sustaining the country’s economic stability. Their remittance inflows remain one of the most significant sources of foreign exchange, supporting household incomes, strengthening foreign reserves, and contributing to overall macroeconomic resilience. At the same time, the growing scale of international trade, import obligations, and export activities has made foreign exchange rates a daily point of concern for businesses, remittance-dependent families, banking clients, and ordinary citizens alike.
Economists note that the foreign exchange market is primarily driven by the balance between demand and supply. When import payments rise, demand for foreign currencies—particularly the US dollar—increases, putting pressure on the local currency. Conversely, a higher inflow of remittances improves foreign currency availability in the domestic market, offering temporary stability. Global factors such as fluctuations in crude oil prices, changes in interest rates in major economies, and broader geopolitical uncertainty further intensify volatility in exchange rates.
On Sunday (24 May), updated market data showed the following buying and selling rates for key foreign currencies against the Bangladeshi Taka:
Foreign Exchange Rates (24 May)
| Currency | Buying Rate (BDT) | Selling Rate (BDT) |
|---|---|---|
| US Dollar | 122.15 | 123.15 |
| Euro | 139.89 | 144.75 |
| British Pound | 162.18 | 167.29 |
| Japanese Yen | 0.76 | 0.78 |
| Singapore Dollar | 95.03 | 96.63 |
| UAE Dirham | 33.25 | 33.54 |
| Australian Dollar | 86.41 | 88.42 |
| Swiss Franc | 154.17 | 158.35 |
| Saudi Riyal | 32.53 | 32.84 |
| Chinese Yuan | 17.87 | 18.23 |
| Indian Rupee | 1.27 | 1.29 |
Financial analysts point out that a substantial share of Bangladesh’s remittance earnings originates from the Middle East, Europe, and North America. As a result, fluctuations in the currencies of these regions directly influence the value of inward remittances when converted into local currency. Movements in the US dollar and Saudi riyal, in particular, tend to have an immediate impact on household incomes reliant on overseas earnings.
Officials in the financial sector emphasise that exchange rate movements occur on a daily basis due to shifting import demand, export earnings, and foreign currency inflows. Increased import dependency typically raises pressure on the dollar, while stronger remittance inflows help balance the market to some extent. However, this equilibrium remains sensitive and can change rapidly depending on global and domestic economic conditions.
Experts further argue that maintaining long-term exchange rate stability requires a combination of strategies, including boosting export earnings, ensuring steady remittance inflows, and carefully managing import expenditure. Aligning domestic monetary policy with global financial developments is also considered essential to reduce volatility.
They also caution that exchange rates are subject to sudden change based on international market movements and banking liquidity conditions. As such, timely access to updated financial information is increasingly important for making informed economic and business decisions.